Favorite Paper Weight

[jbb]

What's your favorite paper weight? Lately I've decided that 13 lb. and 16 lb. are mine. I've got a couple of older boxes of paper in those weights and they feel great to write on. Are 13 lb. and 16 lb. papers even made any more? It looks like 16 lb. is made for compostion/notebook filler paper.

 

I just wrote a letter on some old "Permanent Record" paper -- 75% cotton, 16 lb., 8½ x 14. Fun!

Edited November 27, 2010 by jbb

[Enai]

I like lighter weight paper as well, preferably no more than 20-lb.

[jbb]

I like lighter weight paper as well, preferably no more than 20-lb.

Oooh, psychic. :ph34r: I was just writing to you on the aforementioned paper. I love 9 lb. paper too but sometimes it takes extra care to not rip a hole in it with my dip pens.

[StyloBug33]

Um..well, anything less that 32 pounds drives me nuts. I need to be able to write on both sides though and I don't like any show-through on the other side.

Edited November 28, 2010 by StyloBug33

[Enai]

 

Oooh, psychic. :ph34r: I was just writing to you on the aforementioned paper. I love 9 lb. paper too but sometimes it takes extra care to not rip a hole in it with my dip pens.

 

Double psychic. I was thinking, lucky person who gets that letter, lol.

[jbb]

Um..well, anything less that 32 pounds drives me nuts. I need to be able to write on both sides though and I don't like any show-through on the other side.

That's substancial paper. Do you like to write on cardstock?

[pkoko]

I like to write on 24 & 28 lb paper or 90-120 gsm.

[wallylynn]

I clicked on this topic expecting replies like: pet rock, snow globe, cat...

[StyloBug33]

Um..well, anything less that 32 pounds drives me nuts. I need to be able to write on both sides though and I don't like any show-through on the other side.

That's substancial paper. Do you like to write on cardstock?

 

The HP 32 pound paper is certainly a heavy paper, but it isn't card stock. I think card stock starts at around 60 pounds. I use the HP paper for everything. I can make stationery out of it. I print pages for my Levenger circa paper and punch it. It is really great paper. It is expensive for copy paper, but very cheap for stationery and as nice as anything Clairfontaine makes, IMHO. I have tried other papers, but this just continues to be my favorite.

[markc]

I clicked on this topic expecting replies like: pet rock, snow globe, cat...

 

+1 was thinking the same thing.. Then I saw "32lb" and thought, that's SOME paper-weight! :roflmho:

[Blade Runner]

I use a variety, because I have a variety of nib sizes and inks. My favorites include 24lb, 28lb, & 32lb sheets and 98lb correspondence cards in 100% cotton.

[dickydotcom]

Although I have to write a lot in my work, until last night I never really considered the paper.

I have recently changed the note pads I use to a higher quality 90gsm (sorry don't know what that is in lbs)

I am able to write on both sides of the paper without any bleed through. So although the pads are more expensive it works out cheaper and I can carry less in my case.

I also print my own forms for client details using standard copier paper but nowhere on the packet can I find a weight.

Yesterday I had changed the nib on my Parker Sonnet to an italic which worked well on the notepad, but when I put it to the copier paper there was little or no line variation. It was at that point (after 35 years of using fountain pens) that I have come to realise the importance of paper and therefore coming to have a look at this board.

Dick D

[Wilson Hines]

Although I have to write a lot in my work, until last night I never really considered the paper.

I have recently changed the note pads I use to a higher quality 90gsm (sorry don't know what that is in lbs)

I am able to write on both sides of the paper without any bleed through. So although the pads are more expensive it works out cheaper and I can carry less in my case.

I also print my own forms for client details using standard copier paper but nowhere on the packet can I find a weight.

Yesterday I had changed the nib on my Parker Sonnet to an italic which worked well on the notepad, but when I put it to the copier paper there was little or no line variation. It was at that point (after 35 years of using fountain pens) that I have come to realise the importance of paper and therefore coming to have a look at this board.

Dick D

 

The paper was the first thing I considered. In fact, I would think most people get the pen right first, but I got the paper right. I've been hooked on Rhodia and Clairefontaine ever since my first experience with it and I just haven't wanted anything else. I spent the whole of Labor Day weekend researching Rhodia and Clairefontaine. Where to buy it. Why it was so "good." What the big deal was about. I had no inkling of getting into Fountain Pens. When I finally found a store to visit that sold Rhodia (I didn't dare order online, I wanted my hands on it), I went to the shop and the first thing he told me was about his "biggest selection of fountain pens in NC." I simply ignored him and went for the paper. Two weeks later, I had to be in D.C for a meeting and right across the street was the D.C. Pen Show and I figured I would go buy some Rhodia, as Rhodia Drive was how I found out about the show. I met Karen, the VP at Exaclair, and bought $60 more of Rhodia stuff.

 

But, that pen show put the fountain pen want in me.

 

I have absolutely gone away from everything "normal" as far as paper. I use Clairefontaine and Rhodia for even note taking for college classes. Everything. I got addicted.

Edited November 29, 2010 by Wilson Hines

[eli]

Loaded Stainless Steel, Ruger Super Blackhawk, .44 caliber and 32lb Crane's Crest. Both perform flawlessly!

[Ipno Tizer]

80 - 100 gsm for me. Any more than that and it's too heavy for me to lift (B'boom Tssssch).

[iiixvix]

I clicked on this topic expecting replies like: pet rock, snow globe, cat...

 

+1 was thinking the same thing.. Then I saw "32lb" and thought, that's SOME paper-weight! :roflmho:

 

Same here

 

Personally, I love all kinds of paper (brown paper towels and napkins all the way to the heavy cardstocks) if I can't write on it with a FP I'll probably origami it into something or use pencil. But for writing, I prefer thinner paper and I like to write on one side only. I like how thinner paper curls as the ink dries.

[jbb]

Personally, I love all kinds of paper (brown paper towels and napkins all the way to the heavy cardstocks) if I can't write on it with a FP I'll probably origami it into something or use pencil...

I guess I'm like that too. :roflmho: I just love paper in general.

[Chevalier]

80, really? That would be too light for me, to easy to crumple, sucks for wetter inks, aso. Everything below 120gsm would have a hard time convincing me (or needs an awesome coating). Sure, there are bad papers at 120gsm and up too....

[Stephany]

What's your favorite paper weight? Lately I've decided that 13 lb. and 16 lb. are mine. I've got a couple of older boxes of paper in those weights and they feel great to write on. Are 13 lb. and 16 lb. papers even made any more? It looks like 16 lb. is made for compostion/notebook filler paper.

 

I just wrote a letter on some old "Permanent Record" paper -- 75% cotton, 16 lb., 8½ x 14. Fun!

 

 

Where do you buy paper this thin? I am having a difficult time finding stationery - lot of notecards, though!

[jbb]

Where do you buy paper this thin? I am having a difficult time finding stationery - lot of notecards, though!

 

Thinner paper (under 20 lb.) is generally vintage stock. Mine is. Here's link to one place that sells onionskin:

 

http://www.thepapermillstore.com/product.php?productid=9304